Based on the hugely popular manga by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, the bloody and brilliant Lone Wolf And Cub movies finally get a decent release in the UK thanks to the folks at Eureka.

The films tell the story of the official Shogun executioner, Ogami Itto, who, after being betrayed and framed for murder by the corrupt Yagyu clan, is forced to flee his old life with his son, Diagoro.

Now, Ogami and his son walk the road of vengeance under the much-feared name of ‘Lone Wolf And Cub’. Working as hired assassin for 500 gold pieces a time, Ogami and Diagoro cut a bloody path of vengeance through a nation of samurai, while biding their time until they can finally get even with the Yagyu clan and its despicable leader, Retsudo.

Beautifully directed, superbly acted and boasting all manner of memorable set-pieces, iconic characters and extreme violence, the Lone Wolf And Cub series (consisting of Sword Of Vengeance, Baby Cart And The River Styx, Baby Cart To Hades, Baby Cart In Peril, Baby Cart In The Land Of Demons And White Heaven And Hell) is a seminal contribution to 70s Japanese exploitation cinema, and among the many influences for Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1 (especially the arterial-spraying bloody violence).

Uncut, fully re-mastered and a massive improvement on the previously released box set from Arts Magic, this set sees all six films looking clean and sharp (still occasionally a little dark though), while all graphic depictions of severed limbs have been re-inserted. While the box set contains little in the way of special features, it does include the Robert Houston produced Shogun Assassin, which is basically the first two films edited together and dubbed for American audiences back in 1980 (perfect for when you’re feeling lazy and can’t be bothered reading subtitles).

Overall Verdict: A sublime set of movies and a must-have box set for fans of Japanese exploitation cinema.